CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today
announced its second annual $1
million grant opportunity through the Duke Energy Foundation
for North Carolina nonprofit
organizations working for social justice and racial equity.
Applications will be reviewed through a competitive grant cycle,
and $25,000 grants will be awarded
for general operating funds at eligible nonprofits.
The company has committed to an annual social justice and racial
equity grant cycle for at least three years in North Carolina.
"Duke Energy is proud to continue partnering with nonprofits
taking a stand against racism across North Carolina," said Stephen De May, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "As a community, we
have more work to do to ensure justice and opportunity for our
underserved neighbors, and these grants will support organizations
on the front lines advocating for racial equity."
The N.C. Social Justice and Racial Equity grant cycle will
operate with the following strategic principles:
- Nonprofits with a history of championing social justice and
racial equity work on behalf of people of color, as represented in
their mission statements and previous bodies of work, are the
priority for this program.
- Nonprofits led by people of color, a historically underfunded
group across philanthropy, will be given additional consideration
in the grant review process.
- Preference will be given to nonprofits not already funded by,
or not eligible for, the Duke Energy Foundation's other competitive
grant cycles, specifically the K-12 education, workforce and nature
grant cycles.
- Organizations awarded a Social Justice and Racial Equity grant
in 2020 are eligible to apply again in 2021.
- The nonprofit applicant may be a governmental entity if the
organization meets the strategic principles listed above.
- All regions of North Carolina
served by Duke Energy Progress or Duke Energy Carolinas are
eligible.
"The fight for social justice and racial equity must be joined
by all sectors of society," said George R.
Hausen Jr., executive director of Legal Aid of North Carolina. "We thank the Duke Energy
Foundation for standing with us as we work to make equal justice
for all a reality in North
Carolina."
Grant applications should come from organizations with primary
missions of addressing social justice and racial equity.
Initiatives of focus for interested organizations may include but
are not limited to:
- Trainings and policy reform.
- Criminal justice reform, including community policing.
- Civic engagement for communities of color.
- Reducing disparate outcomes for people of color through
education and workforce development.
- Legal assistance, including pathways to citizenship.
The grant application is open now through Aug. 31, 2021. Eligible nonprofits should visit
duke-energy.com/RacialEquity to access the application and
materials. Nonprofits can also register and join us for a webinar
to learn more about this grant opportunity.
Applicants will be notified about the outcome of their
applications before Oct. 31.
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to
meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and
work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts, and is
funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about
the foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at
duke-energy.com/foundation.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities
serve 7.9 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves
1.6 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to
create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities –
with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and
net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S.
renewable energy provider, on track to operate or purchase 16,000
megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is
investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery
storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies
such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More
information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke
Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos
and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories
about people, innovations, community topics and environmental
issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and
Facebook.
Media contact: Shawna Berger
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_ShawnaB
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SOURCE Duke Energy